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IMDbPro

The Wastrel

Original title: Il relitto
  • 19611961
  • 1h 24m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
68
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
141,197
4,262
The Wastrel (1961)
Drama
A wealthy and self-serving man, sets out on a perilous ocean voyage with his son. An unexpected incident with the vessel causes him to reflect on his not so perfect life.A wealthy and self-serving man, sets out on a perilous ocean voyage with his son. An unexpected incident with the vessel causes him to reflect on his not so perfect life.A wealthy and self-serving man, sets out on a perilous ocean voyage with his son. An unexpected incident with the vessel causes him to reflect on his not so perfect life.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
68
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
141,197
4,262
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Michael Cacoyannis
    • Writers
      • Michael Cacoyannis
      • Suso Cecchi D'Amico(adaptation)
      • Frederic Wakeman(novel)
    • Stars
      • Ellie Lambeti
      • Van Heflin
      • Franco Fabrizi
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Michael Cacoyannis
    • Writers
      • Michael Cacoyannis
      • Suso Cecchi D'Amico(adaptation)
      • Frederic Wakeman(novel)
    • Stars
      • Ellie Lambeti
      • Van Heflin
      • Franco Fabrizi
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Photos

    Ellie Lambeti in The Wastrel (1961)
    The Wastrel (1961)
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    Top cast

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    Ellie Lambeti
    Ellie Lambeti
    • Liana Bell
    Van Heflin
    Van Heflin
    • Duncan Bell
    Franco Fabrizi
    Franco Fabrizi
    • Rudi Veronese
    Fosco Giachetti
    Fosco Giachetti
    • Captain Hugh Hardy
    Tiberio Mitri
    • Macniff
    Paul Muller
    Paul Muller
    • Fatso
    Clelia Matania
    Clelia Matania
    • Betsy
    Aldo Pini
    • Doc
    Annie Gorassini
    Annie Gorassini
    • Monique invitata alla festa
    Anna Maria Surdo
    • Yvette
    Francesco Tensi
    • Il governatore
    Renata Mauro
    • Moglie del governatore
    Rosalba Neri
    Rosalba Neri
    • La ragazza nel night club 'Le Colonne'
    Sidney Clute
    Sidney Clute
    • Governor (english version)
    April Hennessy
    • Ida
    John Francis Lane
    • Invitato festa
    Michael Stellman
    • Bell's Son
    Alix Talton
    Alix Talton
    • Vanessa Richards
    • Director
      • Michael Cacoyannis
    • Writers
      • Michael Cacoyannis
      • Suso Cecchi D'Amico(adaptation)
      • Frederic Wakeman(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Italian censorship visa # 34002 delivered on 7-2-1961.

    User reviews2

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Crawling from the wreckage
    Part psychological drama,part adventures, this Cacoyannis movie belongs to the first part of his career ,before he hit the big time with his famous "Zorba the Greek".

    A man (Van HEFLIN , it's quite surprising to see him in this Italy/Cyprus co-production) whose marriage is on the rocks,sets out for a little sail (and not around the globe as the storyline reads)on a simple motorboat (and not on a yacht ,as the storyline claims) which explodes :hence the title "IL relitto" = the wreck .

    This wreck of course is symbolic and it may seem a bit ponderous: the wreck of the boat parallels that of the marriage .

    After the wreckage,with only debris to keep them afloat ,father and son are going to struggle for their life in the middle of the sea :today ,this subject has become a favorite for fans of suspenseful movies ,but Cacoyannis' treatment is first psychological drama .

    The scenes of these two unfortunate shipwrecked persons are interspersed with many flashbacks which show the last quarrel between this wealthy alcoholic with his wife (Ellie Lambetti) wooed by a handsome man (Fabrizio Fabrizi).

    Although this treatment may seem pretty original ,it actually throws the film off balance : these scenes from the past begin to drag on after a while ,and are finally quite derivative .On the contrary , when the director comes back to his heroes lost at sea,he makes his work a winner : pictures of the mother which appear and disappear beneath the waves gives the movie an eerie touch ;moreover,Van Heflin is excellent (apart from the child,the other actors are indifferent) as this father,hoping against hope, comforting his terrified son,realizing that his life itself has been a long wreckage . You should watch it for him .
    helpful•5
    2
    • dbdumonteil
    • Nov 21, 2019

    Details

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    • Release date
      • February 24, 1961 (Italy)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • Cyprus
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Destroços
    • Production companies
      • Lux Film
      • Tiberia Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 24 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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